Poor NHS care 'like a cancer' says Stafford inquiry QC

A culture of poor care is like a cancer - it will keep on spreading if not stopped, the barrister who chaired the public inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal has warned.

Robert Francis QC said bad practice starts in "small places" but is passed on to "bigger places" unless something is done.

Despite his damning report three months ago, he remained proud of the NHS.

He said it was the country's "most valuable social asset".

Mr Francis, who was speaking at a conference in London organised by the patient group Action Against Medical Accidents, refused to say whether he was happy with the government's response to his report.

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